Not at all – although we would argue that all human beings are born with innate musicality. Music therapy is not just for people who are “good” at music. It can benefit people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, whose goals may be social, emotional, cognitive, communicative, functional or spiritual.

Music therapy methods in practice might look like:

• freely improvising with all sorts of musical instruments

• writing original songs or lyrics

• listening to music for relaxation and stress reduction

• singing favourite songs that bring back memories and personal stories

• making playlists to improve mood and motivation

• exploring musical skills and interests in a safe and inclusive environment.

Music therapy has been scientifically proven to be effective, and can help when other,‘standard’ approaches such as talk therapy are ineffective. Through these musical methods, we are able to address a wide variety of goals, including:

• social skills, such as capacity to tolerate change and uncertainty

• mental health, such as processing grief, trauma or challenging negative self-talk

• psychosocial needs, such as reconnection to memory, culture and self identity

• cognition, including improving attention, memory, speech development and pattern recognition.

• functional tools such as helping to structure daily tasks, and healthy ways to listen to music

• physical goals, such as developing fine and gross motor skills

• human rights and dignity, such as helping to improve accessibility to the profound sensory pleasure that music offers.

Both those things are fabulous, and can play a part in music therapy too! Music Therapists are trained to be targeted and strategic in their use of music. We are continuously evaluating, discussing and adjusting our methods, in order to help bring about the outcomes that our clients are after.

Most importantly, music therapy does not occur in isolation: it relies on building a therapeutic relationship between the client and the therapist, in which the client is supported to make discoveries, explore, share, rest and release.

All RMTs (Registered Music Therapists) are trained to use specific, research-based therapeutic techniques, but each RMT will have their own individual personality, values and experiences. At Insound Music Therapy, we have learned to prioritise the therapeutic power of relationships, in which the RMT trusts unconditionally in the client’s own agency. Feedback from staff, families and clients notes how our group sessions cultivate an atmosphere of energy, fun and inclusivity, with clients feeling valued for their contributions and simply for being there. Individual sessions allow participants to be heard and valued as their whole selves, in authentic connection with the music therapist. If this sounds like what you are looking for, Insound may be right for you.

This will depend on the intended outcomes of your sessions. Sessions may occur weekly, fortnightly or monthly. You may book just a handful of sessions, or continue for several months or years.

We aim to assist clients to build up their personal resources, such as their mental wellbeing, communication skills, or assisting to reach developmental milestones. Music therapists will regularly evaluate the progress of their clients’ goals, and may recommend concluding sessions once these goals have been achieved.

NDIS pricing is an hourly rate of $150. Non-session hours, for example report writing or preparation of materials (e.g. songwriting) will be charged at an hourly and pre-arranged fee.

Non-NDIS client rate is $120 per hour.

Group sessions within organisations are charged at $160 per hour.

Travel fees apply when travel time exceeds a total of 30 minutes.